I occasionally get emails from people who tell me that I hate America. They tell me that I’m destroying our country, and that the world would be better off if I would just go live in some Communist nation.

These people equate love of America with allegiance to the government, and patriotism with loyalty to their favorite politicians. Sometimes people tell me that they wish I would be thrown out of the country, tried for treason, or even executed.

Here’s a common example (spelling and all):

your a traitor and should be executed just like your friend sadaam

The words differ from email to email, but the overall theme stays the same. Why do you hate America? Why are you such a racist? or, Why do you love “the terrorists?”